BIA-recognized immigration help in Tennessee — free DOJ-accredited organizations
This page lists every non-profit in Tennessee currently authorized by the U.S. Department of Justice (Board of Immigration Appeals / BIA) to provide immigration legal representation. Source: EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster, updated quarterly.
BIA-recognized organizations are the cheapest legitimate immigration legal help available — many provide representation free or for sliding-fee based on income. Their accredited representatives (Full Accreditation can appear in court; Partial Accreditation handles USCIS filings only) practice ONLY immigration law.
BIA-recognized organizations in Tennessee
14 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for Tennessee. These non-profits are authorized by the Board of Immigration Appeals to provide immigration legal representation at low or no cost.
| Organization | City | Address | Phone | Recognized | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic Charities of East Tennessee | Chattanooga | 5720 Uptain Road, Building 6100, Suite 4800, Chattanooga, TN 37411 | (423) 826-0663 | 11/22/05 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of East Tennessee | Chattanooga | 302 Wesley St., Johnson City, TN 37601, Knoxville | (423) 328-0070 | 11/22/05 | Active |
| Mid-South Immigration Advocates, Inc. | Chattanooga | 1101 Kermit Drive, Suite 205, Nashville, TN 37217 | (615) 800-2886 | 07/24/19 | Active |
| The Advocacy Center, Inc. | Jackson | 2676 Churchill Downs Circle, Chattanooga, TN 37421, Jackson, All Saints Immigration Services 11/13/23 11/09/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (432) 304-7974 | 07/17/24 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of East Tennessee | Knoxville | 119 Dameron Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917, Memphis | (865) 971-3550 | 11/22/05 | Active |
| Advocates for Immigrant Rights | Memphis | 815 N McLean Blvd, Memphis, TN 38107 | (901) 729-9560 | 10/08/24 | Active |
| Community Legal Center | Memphis | 80 Monroe, Ste 415, Memphis, TN 38103 | (901) 543-3395 | 07/31/13 | Active |
| For the People By the People | Memphis | 119 Racine Street, Suite 105, Memphis, TN 38111, Latino Memphis, Inc. 04/19/17 09/20/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (901) 321-5774 | 05/29/20 | Active |
| Mid-South Immigration Advocates, Inc. | Memphis | 3340 Poplar Avenue, Suite 215, Memphis, TN 38111, Nashville | (901) 244-4367 | 07/24/19 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of Tennessee, Inc. | Nashville | 2806 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37214 | (615) 352-3087 | 09/03/25 | Active |
| Nashville International Center for Empowerment | Nashville | 417 Welshwood Drive, Suite 100, Nashville, TN 37211 | (615) 315-9681 | 09/17/12 | Active |
| Nations Ministry Center | Nashville | 406 Welshwood Drive, Nashville, TN 37211 | (615) 828-9664 | 05/03/13 | Active |
| Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition | Nashville | 3310 Ezell Road, Nashville, TN 37211 | (615) 833-0384 | 06/23/14 | Active |
| Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors | Nashville | 2195 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211 | (615) 538-7481 | 01/07/25 | Active |
How to verify and contact a BIA-recognized organization
- Confirm current status at the EOIR roster — recognition can be withdrawn, and the roster is updated quarterly.
- Call ahead to check service availability — many orgs have waitlists, especially for asylum and removal-defense cases.
- Ask about fees before signing a representation agreement. Free or sliding-fee is standard.
- Bring all USCIS notices + photo ID to your intake appointment.
- Beware of “notarios” — only BIA-recognized organizations OR licensed attorneys can give legal advice. A “notario público” in the U.S. is NOT a notario in the Latin American sense and cannot legally represent you.
Related procedural information
- Immigration court in Tennessee — the EOIR court that hears removal cases for residents of Tennessee
- Legal aid in Tennessee — broader civil legal aid (housing, family, public benefits)
- Find an immigration attorney — AILA directory + private bar
- Avoid notario fraud — what to watch for
- Know Your Rights — ICE encounters — constitutional protections
Last verified: 2026-05-27. Source: U.S. Department of Justice EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster. General procedural information — not legal advice. Always verify organization status and ask about fees before signing a representation agreement.
BIA recognition program context (2025-2026)
The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) Recognition & Accreditation Program is governed by 8 CFR 1292.11-1292.16. Recognition is granted for 3 years initially; renewals require re-application and updated documentation. As of the 2026-04-20 EOIR roster: 1,256 recognized organizations operate 1,420 offices nationwide, with 5,800+ accredited representatives across Full Accreditation (court representation) and Partial Accreditation (USCIS-only practice).
BIA-recognized organizations cannot charge attorney-level fees but may charge “nominal fees” — typically defined by EOIR as covering only direct costs (printing, postage, document preparation). Most organizations charge $0-$200 for full representation in routine cases (USCIS filings, defensive asylum hearings). Compare to private immigration attorney fees: $1,500-$5,000 for asylum cases, $2,500-$8,000 for cancellation of removal, $1,500-$3,000 for adjustment of status.
EOIR publishes the Recognition & Accreditation Roster quarterly at justice.gov/eoir/recognition-accreditation-roster-reports. Verify an organization’s CURRENT status (Active vs Pending Renewal vs Provisional vs Withdrawn) before signing a representation agreement. Organizations whose recognition was withdrawn by EOIR (typically for fraud or compliance issues) cannot practice immigration law.
For attorney directories: AILA Find-A-Lawyer at ailalawyer.com (paid membership, vetted), Legal Services Corporation grantees at lsc.gov (income-limited legal aid), American Bar Association lawyer referral at americanbar.org/groups/legal_services. Avoid “notario” fraud: in the US, a “notary public” is NOT a notario in the Latin American sense and cannot give legal advice. Report notario fraud to your state attorney general AND USCIS at uscis.gov/avoid-scams.
IMMI Help Line: 1-866-787-6111 (Immigrant Justice Network, free Spanish/English) Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm. EOIR Hotline for case status: 1-800-898-7180 (24/7 automated; English/Spanish menu).